"Mainstream" vs "Taboo" Erotica

Conventional industry-standard book classification systems do a
poor job of distinguishing mainstream erotica from taboo erotica.
This makes it difficult for retailers and readers to distinguish
one from the other. At Smashwords, we carry a wide variety of
legal erotica, including books that contain taboo themes.

In September 2017 we implemented new erotica classification
requirements for Smashwords authors and publishers.

Below is a summary of “Taboo” themes and their definitions.
These definitions were developed in close consultation with our
largest retail partners to ensure uniform policy enforcement
across our distribution network.

Erotica titles which have been certified by their authors or
publishers as containing none of the themes listed below are
considered "mainstream erotica" and will be shown if readers
select the
"Include mainstream erotica"
option from the filter.

Books containing one or more of the themes listed below are
considered "taboo erotica," and these, along with older erotica
or erotic romance books which have not yet been certified, will
be filtered out of a reader’s Smashwords search results unless
the reader selects the
"Include all erotica"
option.

“Taboo” theme definitions

Age play -
One or more consenting adult characters role playing,
pretending to be babies or children.

Bestiality -
Sexual relations between humans and real-world animals (sex
with Big Foot, dinosaurs, shape shifters and other imaginary
creatures is not bestiality).

Dubious Consent (dubcon) -
A common and popular theme in mainstream fiction. Dubcon
explores the gray area between consent and non-consent. Not
clear if the receiver of the sexual act was fully on board
or not at the time of the act. Most major retailers carry
dubcon erotica.

Incest or pseudo-incest -
Sexual relations between family members, whether biologically
or non-biologically related. Includes stepbrother, stepsister
and step-anyone.

Nonconsensual sexual slavery -
Erotic depiction of a person captured or held against
their will, such as kidnapping, imprisonment or human
trafficking. Not to be confused with BDSM, which is predicated
upon informed consent and negotiation between both parties
before the act, and which provides safe words so either
partner can end the act if it goes too far. If the book
adheres to BDSM best practices, we instruct authors and
publishers to not classify it as nonconsensual sexual slavery.

Rape for titillation -
The dominant theme of this book is rape — whether the
rape is by one person or a character is raped by a group of
people, i.e. a gang rape or nonconsensual "gang bang" —
and it targets readers who are titillated by the fantasy of
nonconsensual sexual relations.

The above list is not all inclusive. There are many other
taboo themes that have never been allowed at Smashwords.
For a full summary of Smashwords erotica policies, please
review Section 9f of the
Smashwords Terms of Service.

Sadie Townsend is known by all as The Ice Princess. But one inebriated night she shows Hector Chavez the Real Sadie and he knows he’ll stop at nothing to have her. Hector makes one mistake; he waits for Sadie to come to him. Tragedy strikes and Sadie has a choice. Retreat behind her Ice Fortress or let Hector guide her into the Rock Chick World.

The High Sierra gave her everything she wanted–the trees and creatures around her remote mountain Outpost, hikers and backpackers who visited her for directions or permits, who repeatedly told her she was so lucky to be stationed in the most beautiful place on earth. They were right, she thought, she had it all–that is until a handsome stranger stumbled into her life and turned it upside down…

When Tina’s sister Riley disappears, Tina suspects Riley’s boss had something to do with it, and sets out to get proof. Prince Viper has been sent to Riley’s family home, but is soon derailed from his mission to keep Tina and her gun-toting grandmother alive! Brimming with S.E. Smith’s signature humor, vivid landscapes, and beloved characters, this book is sure to be another fan favorite!

Twenty years is a fair amount of time for most folks. For Roxie Whitson, twenty years hasn’t been long enough to escape the nightmares of losing a dear friend back in her hometown. But she’s returning there to wrap up her great aunt’s estate and is determined that she can lay to rest the loss that haunts her.
Life is rarely that simple.

Zombies are on the loose and the world comes unraveled. A group of strangers on a Manhattan subway are brought together in the name of survival following the lead of Ari Brenner, a young man who represents authority because of his army uniform. Even though Ari doesn’t feel worthy of their trust, he steps up during the crisis as he’s been trained to do. Newly edited version.

Continue Nadia Wolf’s adventure in this second book!
Nadia Wolf has had enough, and she’s fighting back. With a crime lord hot on her tail, it's kill or be killed. Nadia is running out of options, something that Caleb Usher shrewdly knows. And, he isn't above using Nadia's circumstance to bait her with another steamy wager.

Sport witnesses the murder of a family friend, and escapes into Sean’s protective custody. When a plot by Russia to infiltrate our nation is uncovered, Sean finds out too late his direct boss is the enemy. Sport has the evidence to prove it. The dilemma is how to keep Sport safe and resolve the escalating danger to the USA. When they realize the President is the next target, they join forces.

Madeline (Maddie to her friends), an Australian history teacher, travels to York, England, to visit her friend Amber who is working there with a team of archaeologists unearthing Viking relics. They share a passion for the Viking Age, and both studied the Old Norse language. About to take part in a re-enactment at the Viking village and wearing typical clothes worn by a Viking woman...

Two bright young faces: Mzysia, the spirited daughter of the Svan chief and Kshayarsha, the fierce heir to the Persian throne; water and fire, how can these two elements possibly become one? The first installment of the series "And God Requireth that which is Past" tells the beginning of these two rebels amidst court intrigues, bloody wars, and dizzying adventures.

In this second Melissa book we find that Daniel's work to save the human race is not yet done. New events on the Moon lead to a trail of discovery resulting in a life and death struggle. Waz enters Daniel and Melissa's lives, causing stress and wonder in equal measure. A captivating adventure unfolds with new concepts and a vivid portrayal of interplanetary living. And a love triangle to boot.

CJ takes one look at the wounded warrior before her and knows she will never be able to let him walk away. He's hers now, her perfect match. And if that means she has to seduce the beast or face off with the Hive to save him...that's exactly what she's going to do. She lived her life following the rules. With everything on the line, it's time to break them.

Two straight guys. One desert island. Marooned a thousand miles from civilization, the turquoise water and white sand beach look like paradise but could turn deadly in a heartbeat. As Troy and Brian learn sexuality is about more than straight or gay and discover their true selves, the world they’ve built together is thrown into chaos. If they make it off the island, can their love endure?

Grav N’gol is many things. Murderer…ex-con…Alien half-breed…
And a Protector.
More than just a bodyguard, a Protector chooses a female to ward for life and swears an oath to die for her if necessary.
Enter Leah Roth. The luscious little Earth female is supposed to be just a quick surveillance gig for Grav. He’ll check on her and report back that she’s okay—it should be easy.
Only she’s not ok

Fallon has returned from three months of training and is eager to fight against those who enslaved her. Joining up with Reid and the gang, they set out to prepare for the Vermix’s final attack—a highly prophesied invasion that could mean the possible end to a centuries-long war. But when unforeseen events arise, causing the plan of defense to crumble, it will take everything they have to survive.

Johnnie Williams returns from Montana to city life and finds the blonde belle he wants to forget knee deep in criminal activity. As Johnnie investigates her, a reluctant passion ignites.
Rose Marie Swanson returns to San Francisco with a renewed commitment to her questionable work. When Johnnie gets in the way, she devises a plan to destroy his intolerable curiosity and dangerous desire to help.